7. Use Your Landscaping as a Natural Deterrent

Burglars love overgrown shrubs and massive hedges, especially those planted directly in front of ground-floor windows. These plants provide perfect, shadow-filled hiding spots where criminals can work on prying open a window without being seen from the street.

Implement the “three-foot, six-foot rule” for your exterior landscaping. Trim all shrubs and bushes near your home down to a maximum height of three feet, and prune the lower branches of nearby trees up to a minimum height of six feet. This clears the sightlines, allowing neighbors and passing police patrols to clearly see your windows and doors. You do not need to hire a landscaper; a sturdy pair of pruning shears and an afternoon of light yard work drastically improves your home’s physical security profile.